Hi everyone,
I would like to welcome the new subscribers, I am delighted you have joined us and I hope you enjoy the December prescription. Some of you have been asking what the catalyst was for starting the group. I had been living and working in NYC and then I moved back to London in 2006, with three small children in tow. I didn’t want to use the directories that came thudding through the letterbox to find nurseries, builders and dentists. I decided to create a group where everyone would benefit from each other’s wisdom and experience. I started by inviting my friends who then invited their friends to join the Group. The philosophy is that you give and gain. Sharing knowledge whilst receiving tips and advice from other members on every subject and every aspect of life, both professional and personal. You are also able to post anonymously when you need to. We all have demands placed on us and I want to try and help with shortcuts to make life a little bit easier.
One of the daily pressures is when you are in the sandwich years, I wrote a piece for The Sunday Times about this subject.
Thank you to Becky Barrow, the News Editor of The Sunday Times who commissioned it. Here’s the link if you would like to read it.
The featured member this month is Jenny Anderson who has co-written a book with Rebecca Winthrop called The Disengaged Teen, Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better and Live Better.
Carol Dweck, Author of Mindset
“So many parents want to help their teens become better learners but don’t know where to start. Here is a powerful, practical book that points the way.” The book is due for release in January 2025.
Please remember from January 2025 only members registered online at emilysgroup.com will receive emails and notifications from the group.
The power of the group is the brilliant women in it. If you would like to invite friends/your network to join the group then they can register at
emilysgroup.com
They just need to add your name as the invitee.
I hope you enjoy the December prescription.
Emily
Mind & Body
Dayfever
I am including two activities to banish the after effects of Christmas. I know many of you will be carrying the heavy load in the run up and during the festivities. The first activity is tried and tested and is a real tonic for those of you dancers out there. It’s called Day Fever and is a daytime disco targeted at the over 30’s. Sounds awful doesn’t it! But think of it like the cross between a middle aged wedding and an 80’s school disco. Trust me, it is a real laugh but if you don’t like ‘cheese’ it’s not for you. Everyone goes for it on the dance floor and it is very relaxed. The sole purpose is for you to dance and have a good time. We arrived at 3pm (when it opens) and we were the first on the dance floor, dancing non stop for three hours. The evening finishes at 8pm so it’s early enough to go out for dinner or home to fall into bed. Wear loose clothes and bouncy trainers!
Click here to book.
Karaoke
The other activity that is a very good pre or post Christmas activity for your mind and body is karaoke. We had a karaoke party for my birthday and everyone from the 13 year old to the 93 year old seemed to enjoy themselves! A few of the guests even had to have the microphone wrestled out of their hands. It’s very therapeutic as long as you have understanding neighbours or live in a field. I am including a list from The Independent’s review of karaoke machines. Though they (predictably) link to Amazon but I am sure there are other websites that offer these machines too.
Happy Singing!
Dayfever
I am including two activities to banish the after effects of Christmas. I know many of you will be carrying the heavy load in the run up and during the festivities. The first activity is tried and tested and is a real tonic for those of you dancers out there. It’s called Day Fever and is a daytime disco targeted at the over 30’s. Sounds awful doesn’t it! But think of it like the cross between a middle aged wedding and an 80’s school disco. Trust me, it is a real laugh but if you don’t like ‘cheese’ it’s not for you. Everyone goes for it on the dance floor and it is very relaxed. The sole purpose is for you to dance and have a good time. We arrived at 3pm (when it opens) and we were the first on the dance floor, dancing non stop for three hours. The evening finishes at 8pm so it’s early enough to go out for dinner or home to fall into bed. Wear loose clothes and bouncy trainers!
Click here to book.
Karaoke
The other activity that is a very good pre or post Christmas activity for your mind and body is karaoke. We had a karaoke party for my birthday and everyone from the 13 year old to the 93 year old seemed to enjoy themselves! A few of the guests even had to have the microphone wrestled out of their hands. It’s very therapeutic as long as you have understanding neighbours or live in a field. I am including a list from The Independent’s review of karaoke machines. Though they (predictably) link to Amazon but I am sure there are other websites that offer these machines too.
Happy Singing!
To Read
Atomic Habits
James Clear
January is not the time to set resolutions but it is a good opportunity to consider changing life long habits and what better way then by reading or listening to this book by James Clear – Atomic Habits. I have recommended this book before and the reason I am recommending it again is that it is brilliant. It helps you to think about what habits you want to change and how to form better ones. It is not a time for setting resolutions that are impossibly hard to keep especially in the depths of winter!
Click here to buy the book.
To Listen
The Wonder of Stevie
This is a brilliant podcast series, filled with great music, it’s incredibly atmospheric and a fantastic source of education, not just about Stevie but a commentary on the times he was living in from the beginning of his musical career. He’s not just an amazing musician, he’s an activist and businessman forming strong ideas and a sense of values from a very young age.
Perfect to listen to whilst pottering, cooking or walking!
Click here to listen
To Investigate
Yuka
Yuka is a free mobile app that allows you to scan the barcodes of food and personal care cosmetics to see how toxic they are. I have just downloaded it and spent the last half hour going through the cupboard and fridge to see how healthy all the products are. Warning – this is not the app to use over Christmas unless you want to kill the mood. I like the fact it’s 100% independent and no brand or manufacturer can influence the scores or recommendations offered. I love the core values and mission of the company, take a look and see what you think.
I am also in the midst of scanning all my lotions and potions to see how toxic they are – some surprising results. It’s quite a revealing app! Let me know what you think of it.
Click here to download and find out more.
To Entertain
Mountain Queen (Netflix)
This Netflix documentary follows Lhakpa Sherpa who was the first Nepalese woman to completely summit and descend Mount Everest. Lhakpa grew up in Nepal, illiterate and rejected by her family, she emigrated to the US without speaking English. There are some tough themes in the film including domestic abuse and trauma so it’s not one for Christmas Day. However, it is a film you should see and Lhakpa is an extraordinary woman with an incredible story.
Viewing for 12+ upwards.
Click here to watch Mountain Queen.
EG Member: Jennifer Anderson
| About the member I am an award-winning journalist, author, and speaker with more than 25 years of experience. My work has appeared in some of the world’s leading publications, including The New York Times, where I was staff for 10 years, The Wall Street Journal, TIME, The Atlantic and Quartz. My most recent book is The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better (Crown, Jan 7. 2025). I live in London with my husband and two daughters. My free, weekly newsletter, called HOW TO BE BRAVE offers parents actionable, evidence-based advice on helping teens thrive in school and out. |
| Jennifer Anderson What book are you reading? Intermezzo by Sally Rooney What are you most looking forward to about the Christmas holidays? Carols at St Brides and making Christmas cookies, in Christmas PJs, with my kids (cue the eye roll from them: they are teens) And what do you enjoy about being an Emily’s Group member? Ever since I moved here twelve years ago emilysgroup has been my go to place for just about everything I have needed. I feel very lucky to be part of this growing community! |
| Keep in touch with Jennifer Jenny would love to hear from you so do get in touch with her for a chat or work/general enquiries you can email her at jwestanderson8@gmail.com |
I hope you have a fantastic December and do drop me a line with any comments on what you have read or if you have feedback on the new featured member strand.
If you would like to invite a friend to receive the monthly prescription then please click the box below. To register to be an emily’s group member click on
emilysgroup.com